Speech of Dr. Helder da Costa, General Secretary of the g7+
Closing Ceremony
Second High-Level Conference of the Forum on Global Action for Shared Development Beijing, 13 July 2024
His Excellency Mr. Luo Zhaohui, Chairman of China International Development Cooperation Agency (CIDCA),
Excellencies, ladies and gentlemen, all protocols observed.
On behalf of the Group of Seven Plus (g7+), which represents 20 countries across various regions (committed to achieving lasting peace, stability, and development), I extend my sincere gratitude to the China International Development Cooperation Agency (CIDCA) for inviting the g7+ to the Second High Level Conference on Global Action for Shared Development here in Beijing.
In an official visit of the Prime Minister of Timor-Leste and the g7+ Eminent Person, H.E. Kay Rala Xanana Gusmao, met with H.E. President Xi Jinping in Hangzhou on 23 September 2023, welcomed the Global Development Initiatives proposed by China in 2021, which complemented the SDGs.
This conference provides a valuable platform for countries in the Global South to share their perspectives on sustainable development.
Excellencies, ladies and gentlemen, four key points that I would Like to share with you, from the g7+ perspectives:
- Sustainable development thrives on lasting peace, stability, and effective, responsive state institutions. Conversely, sustainable development acts as a guarantor of enduring peace and stability — driven by the principle of national ownership, encompassing respect for local contexts, priorities, and aspirations. This principle reflects our longstanding experience in the g7+ group and is a collective advocacy of ours.
- Countries in the Global South possess significant potential for development and resilience, having historically been primary suppliers of raw materials vital to the global economy. However, many of these nations, particularly those affected by conflicts such as those in the g7+, harbor some of the world’s poorest populations. This stark disparity cannot be ignored. The impact of foreign aid and investment has often failed to trickle down sufficiently, hindering our path to self-reliance. To unleash the potential of these countries for sustainable development, it is imperative to elevate their role in the global supply chain. This entails supporting them in capturing greater downstream value from their natural resource.
- Shared development and prosperity relies on connectivity, necessitating economic integration facilitated by investments in infrastructure. Connecting developing and least developed countries is crucial for fostering more equitable and inclusive growth. Enhanced connectivity can propel sustainable development and ensure that “no one is left behind”.
- The support for development from China to g7+ member countries is increasingly significant. We call on the Chinese government to continue support these nations and their leadership to invest in “soft infrastructure”, such as modernizing education, healthcare systems and agriculture sector to achieve self-reliance and able to reduce hunger and poverty, improve the quality of its human resources and ultimately achieve peace and sustainable development.
Excellencies, ladies and gentlemen.
Today, we confront unprecedented global challenges such as climate change, conflicts, and inequality, disproportionately impacting countries with the least resilience, such as those in the g7+. These issues are complex and interconnected, transcending national and organizational boundaries. Meaningful progress demands strengthened partnerships and more effective collaboration than ever before.
Our future hinges on our capacity to cooperate and forge robust partnerships. By uniting our strengths and confronting these global challenges together, we can build a better, more sustainable, and equitable world for future generations. Let us seize this moment to cultivate stronger alliances and strive towards a brighter future for all. Thank You